Adjustable discharge apparatus

ABSTRACT

Adjustable discharge apparatus include a first conduit apparatus with a first conduit section extending along an arcuate path about a pivot axis. A second conduit apparatus is pivotally mounted about the pivot axis in a telescoping relationship with the first conduit apparatus. Adjustable discharge apparatus kits are also provided with a first conduit apparatus, a second conduit apparatus and a third conduit apparatus. The second and third conduit apparatus of the kit are for selective mounting to the first conduit apparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to adjustable discharge apparatus,and more particularly to adjustable discharge apparatus for spreadingbulk material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A wide variety of adjustable discharge apparatus are currentlyavailable in the industry. For example, FIG. 1 discloses a prior artadjustable discharge apparatus for spreading mulch. Mulch can comprisean extensive array of vegetative material such as hay, straw, excelsioror other wood product or other vegetative material. Applying mulch to alandscape terrain may be desirable to promote seedling growth byreducing erosion due to wind and/or rain or discouraging seedconsumption by birds and other pests. Applying mulch in a dense layercan reduce the growth of weeds and other unwanted vegetation and canalso trap moisture for existing plants.

[0003] A wide variety of mechanical mulch spreaders are known foralleviating the labor-intensive task of spreading mulch. Oneconventional mulch spreader 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1 (i.e.,partially by broken lines) and can include a skid 112 to facilitatemovement, for example, by a skid steer or the like. The mulch spreader100 includes a motor 104 for driving a blower 102 that forces mulchthrough a discharge tube 108 to an adjustable discharge apparatus 120.

[0004] The conventional adjustable discharge apparatus 120 includes afirst conduit apparatus 122 with a mounting collar 126 including abearing mount for rotatable mounting of the adjustable dischargeapparatus 120 to the discharge tube 108 of the mulch spreader 100. Asshown in FIG. 2, the mounting collar 126 includes a firstcircumferential member 130 with a second circumferential member 132 thatis offset to define a circumferential bearing groove 128. Mountingstructures 134 are provided to fix the position of the secondcircumferential member 132 with respect to the first circumferentialmember 130 without interfering with the bearing mount assembly 110traveling in the bearing groove 128 as the first adjustable dischargeapparatus 120 is rotated relative to the discharge tube 108.

[0005] The adjustable discharge apparatus 120 further includes a handle144 pivotally attached at a pivot location 145 of the first conduitsection 122 and to a conduit 142 of a second conduit apparatus 140 witha handle bracket 146. The second conduit apparatus 140 is attached tothe first conduit apparatus 122 with a flexible conduit 136.

[0006] In use, bales of mulch can be loaded at a bulk material inlet106. The mulch spreader then breaks up the mulch into particulatematter. The bulk material is thereafter entrained in air and forced upthrough the discharge tube 108 to the adjustable discharge apparatus120. The operator may adjust the angular position of the mulch dischargestream by rotating the first conduit apparatus 122 relative to thedischarge tube 108. The elevational trajectory of the mulch dischargestream can also be altered by pivoting the handle 144 about the pivotlocation 145.

[0007] While the conventional mulch spreader illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2 is useful for its intended purpose, there is a continuing demand foralternative adjustable discharge apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provideadvantageous alternatives for conventional adjustable dischargeapparatus. To achieve the foregoing and other objects in accordance withthe present invention, exemplary embodiments of the invention aredirected to adjustable discharge apparatus and adjustable dischargeapparatus kits.

[0009] For example, exemplary embodiments of the present invention aredirected to adjustable discharge apparatus comprising a first conduitapparatus including a first conduit section extending along an arcuatepath about a pivot axis. The adjustable discharge apparatus furthercomprises a second conduit apparatus pivotally mounted about the pivotaxis in a telescoping relationship with the first conduit apparatus. Thesecond conduit apparatus includes a sealing structure adapted to providea seal between telescoping portions of the first conduit apparatus andthe second conduit apparatus. The sealing structure includes asubstantially pliable sealing member with a lip having a first surfacefacing toward the first conduit section and a second surface facing awayfrom the first conduit section. The sealing structure further comprisesa support member engaging the second surface of the lip to facilitateengagement between the first surface of the lip and the first conduitsection.

[0010] Additional exemplary embodiments of the present invention aredirected to adjustable discharge apparatus comprising a first conduitapparatus including a first conduit section extending along an arcuatepath about a pivot axis. The adjustable discharge apparatus furtherincludes a second conduit apparatus pivotally mounted about the pivotaxis in a telescoping relationship with the first conduit apparatus witha clearance area defined between telescoping portions of the firstconduit apparatus and the second conduit apparatus. The second conduitapparatus includes a sealing structure adapted to seal the clearancearea. The sealing structure includes a substantially pliable sealingmember with a mounting portion and a lip. The mounting portion engages amounting location of the second conduit apparatus and extends across theclearance area to the lip. The lip has a first surface facing toward thefirst conduit section and a second surface facing away from the firstconduit section. The sealing structure further comprises a supportmember adapted to engage a surface of the sealing member extendingacross the clearance area.

[0011] Still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention aredirected to adjustable discharge apparatus kits including a firstconduit apparatus with a first conduit section extending along anarcuate path about a pivot axis. The kit further includes a secondconduit apparatus for selective mounting to the first conduit apparatus.The second conduit apparatus is adapted to be removably and pivotallymounted about the pivot axis in a telescoping relationship with thefirst conduit apparatus. The kit also includes a third conduit apparatusfor selective mounting to the first conduit apparatus. The third conduitapparatus includes a flexible conduit section. An end of the thirdconduit apparatus is adapted to be removably mounted to an end of thefirst conduit apparatus.

[0012] Exemplary adjustable discharge apparatus according to theinvention will be more apparent in view of the following detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The following detailed description will be more fully understoodwhen viewed together with the drawings in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a conventional mulch spreader including a conventionaladjustable discharge apparatus;

[0015]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the conventional adjustabledischarge apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an adjustable discharge apparatus inaccordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a first conduit apparatus and asecond conduit apparatus of an exemplary adjustable discharge assembly,taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, wherein the second conduit apparatus isselectively mounted to the first conduit apparatus, and further whereinthe first conduit apparatus of the adjustable discharge assembly ismounted to a discharge tube of a bulk material discharge assembly;

[0018]FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of an exemplary sealing structuretaken at view 4A of FIG. 4;

[0019]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the first conduit apparatus and thedischarge tube of FIG. 4;

[0020]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the second conduit apparatus ofFIGS. 3 and 4 for selective mounting to the first conduit apparatus; and

[0021]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a third conduit apparatus forselective mounting to the first conduit apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The adjustable discharge apparatus of the invention may besuitably adapted for mounting on a portion of a conventional bulkmaterial discharge assembly. FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of anadjustable discharge apparatus 20 (e.g. mulch spreader) in accordancewith exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In order toimmobilize the adjustable discharge apparatus (e.g., during transport),a locking mechanism 21 may be provided. The locking mechanism 21, suchas a bolt, may receive a bracket or brace attached to a nonmovingportion of the bulk material charge assembly.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3,illustrating the adjustable discharge apparatus 20 mounted to adischarge tube 8 of a bulk material discharge assembly. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the adjustable discharge apparatus 20 includes a firstconduit apparatus 22 including a first conduit section 24 that extendsalong an arcuate path about a pivot axis 38 a. In exemplary embodiments,the arcuate path can extend as a 90° elbow, although other arcuate pathswith greater or less than 90° may be employed.

[0024] In exemplary embodiments, the first conduit section 24 can have asubstantially circular cross-sectional profile. The circular profile cancomprise a circular interior profile that may reduce friction associatedwith material flow through the conduit, thereby minimizing wear andenhancing material discharge. Moreover, the circular profile can alsoinclude a circular outer profile to provide a desirable sealing surfacefor other conduit apparatus that may be attached thereto. The firstconduit section 24 can alternatively be manufactured with non-circularprofiles while still demonstrating the inventive concepts of the presentinvention. For example, an elliptical, polygonal or other profile may beused to discourage or prevent rotation of the first conduit apparatus 20with respect to other conduit apparatus mounted with respect thereto.

[0025]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the first conduit apparatus 22 ofthe adjustable discharge apparatus 20 and the discharge tube 8 of thebulk material discharge assembly. The first conduit apparatus 22 mayoptionally be provided with a mounting assembly. Although not shown,mounting assemblies may be provided for nonrotatable mounting of thefirst conduit apparatus 22 with respect to the discharge tube 8. Innonrotatable applications, the ends of the first conduit apparatus anddischarge tube may have a non-circular cross section and/or may have akey portion to prevent relative rotation therebetween. Alternatively, orin addition, a set screw or other fastening arrangement (e.g., screw,adhesive, etc.) may be used to facilitate nonrotatable mounting, forexample, when ends of the first conduit apparatus and discharge tubehave circular cross sections.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention permit rotatable mounting between the first conduit apparatus22 and the discharge tube 8. In exemplary embodiments, the rotatablemounting allows the adjustable discharge apparatus to rotate about avertical axis to control a direction of the radial discharge of a bulkmaterial discharge stream in use. Rotatable mounting about a verticalaxis permits angular adjustment of the radial discharge about thevertical axis that is substantially independent of elevationaladjustment of the bulk material discharge stream. It is alsocontemplated that the mounting arrangement may permit rotation about anon-vertical axis for simultaneous angular and elevational adjustment ofthe bulk material discharge stream as the first conduit apparatus 22 isrotated about the non-vertical axis.

[0027] A wide variety of rotatable mounting arrangements may be used ifthe first conduit apparatus 22 is rotatably mounted with respect to thedischarge tube 8. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, thefirst conduit apparatus 22 can include a mounting collar 26 having acircular cross-section and adapted to receive a similarly shaped end ofthe discharge tube 8. In order to provide a substantially fluid tightconnection between the rotatable members, the end of the discharge tube8 may be provided with a circumferential gasket groove 7 for mounting agasket 9 therein. The exemplary mounting collar 26 includes a firstcircumferential member 30 and a second circumferential member 32. Thesecond circumferential member 32 is axially offset from the firstcircumferential member 30 to define a circumferential bearing groove 28therebetween. Mounting structures 34 may be provided to support and fixthe position of the second circumferential member 32 relative to thefirst circumferential member 30. Although not shown, further exemplaryembodiments may provide the discharge tube with the collar for receivinga circular end of the first conduit apparatus.

[0028] In order to facilitate rotatable mounting of the first conduitapparatus 22 to the discharge tube 8, a bearing mount assembly 10 can beprovided to permit rotatable adjustment while substantially arrestingthe axial position of the first conduit apparatus 22 with respect to thedischarge tube 8. While various bearing mount assemblies may beprovided, the exemplary bearing mount assembly 10 depicted in thefigures includes a bearing member 11 for disposing at least partially inthe circumferential bearing groove 28 and being attached to the end ofthe discharge tube 8 with a fastener, such as a bolt 11 a. The bearingmember 11 may comprise a low friction material such as a polymer or thelike. A flat washer 11 b may be provided to prevent damage to thebearing member 11 and a lock washer 11 c may assist in maintaining thebolt 11 a in place.

[0029] In order to mount the first conduit apparatus 22 to the dischargetube 8, the gasket 9 is first positioned within the gasket groove 7.Next, the mounting collar 26 of the first conduit apparatus 22 ispositioned over the end of the discharge tube 8 and displaced until thegasket 9 engages the first circumferential member 30. One or more of thebearing mount assemblies 10 are then mounted to the discharge tube 8. Asshown, the mounting structures 34 are designed to prevent interferencewith the bearing members 11 as they travel within the circumferentialbearing groove 28 during rotation of the first conduit apparatus 22 withrespect to the discharge tube 8. Alternatively, at least a portion ofone or more of the mounting structures 34 and/or one or more stopmembers may be positioned for interference with the bearing membersand/or other structures at certain rotatable positions, thereby limitingthe rotational movement of the first discharge apparatus 22 once it ismounted with respect to the discharge tube 8. Such limited rotationalmovement may prevent the discharge stream from being inadvertentlydirected toward the motor of the bulk material discharge assembly orother undesirable locations. As shown, however, the adjustable dischargeapparatus is capable of unlimited 360° rotations about the verticalaxis.

[0030]FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of a second conduit apparatus 40for selective mounting to the first conduit apparatus 22 in order toassemble an adjustable discharge apparatus in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. The second conduit apparatus 40includes a conduit 42 for directing a bulk material stream in a desireddirection. Portions of the second conduit apparatus 40 have across-section in the shape of a four-sided polygon. Other polygonalshapes (e.g., having 3 or more sides) or non-polygonal shapes can alsobe used. In one embodiment, the second conduit apparatus may include acircular or elliptical cross-section. As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the firstconduit section 24 has a substantially circular cross-section whileportions of the second conduit apparatus are in the shape of afour-sided polygon to enhance the appearance of the adjustable dischargeapparatus.

[0031] The first conduit apparatus 22 and/or second conduit apparatus 40can also have mounting structures to assist in pivotally mounting thesecond conduit apparatus 40 with respect to the first conduit apparatus22. Although a wide variety of mounting structures may be used, thesecond conduit apparatus 40 can include a mounting section 60 with apair of opposed lateral brackets 62, each including an aperture. Theapertures are aligned with one another to provide a mounting arrangementfor a pivot pin 74.

[0032] Optional flat washers 76 may be provided to reduce bearing stressand a locking device 78, such as a cotter pin, can be used to preventinadvertent displacement of the pivot pin 74. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,the first conduit apparatus 22 can include a mounting structure tocooperate with the mounting section 60 associated with the secondconduit apparatus 40. As shown, the mounting structure can include apivot bracket tube 38 extending along the pivot axis 38 a for receivingthe pivot pin 74. The pivot bracket tube 38 can be attached to the firstconduit apparatus 22 with a pair of opposed lateral brackets 36.Although not shown, the pivot bracket tube 38 can alternatively bemounted to the lateral brackets 62 of the mounting section 60 associatedwith the second conduit apparatus 40. In this alternative embodiment,apertures may be formed in the lateral brackets 36 for receiving thepivot pin 74.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, one or more optional stop members maybe provided to limit pivotal movement of the second conduit apparatusrelative to the first conduit apparatus. For example, as shown, an upperstop 64 a and lower stop 64 b may be provided. The lower stop 64 b isadapted to engage the lateral brackets 36 to limit the lowermost pivotedposition while the upper stop 64 a is adapted to engage the lateralbrackets 36 to limit the uppermost pivoted position. As shown in FIG. 6,each of the upper stop 64 a and lower stop 64 b may be assembled byplacing a stop tube between the lateral brackets 62. Each stop tube isthen fastened into place with an assembly of a bolt 66 and nut 72. Flatwashers 68 may optionally be provided to reduce bearing stress while oneor more lock washers 70 may also be provided to facilitate attachment ofthe stop tubes. As shown, the upper stop 64 a and lower stop 64 b may beprovided as part of the mounting section 60 of the second conduitapparatus 40. Although not shown, one or more of the upper and lowerstops may alternatively be provided on the first conduit apparatus 22.For example, the entire mounting section 60 may be switched with thelateral brackets 36 and pivot tube 38 of the first conduit apparatus 22.

[0034] The second conduit apparatus 40 can also include a sealingstructure. A sealing structure is useful to reduce or prevent bulkmaterial from exiting the adjustable discharge apparatus 20 through aclearance area between telescoping portions of the first conduitapparatus 22 and the second conduit apparatus 40. The sealing structurecan optionally be designed to provide sufficient friction to maintainthe position of the second conduit apparatus with respect to the firstconduit apparatus without the need for an incremental latching orengaging mechanism. The sealing structure can therefore provide a smoothfeel with continuous adjustment when adjusting the second conduitapparatus 40 with respect to the first conduit apparatus 22. Thecoefficient of friction and/or the force applied to the sealingstructure can selected to reduce the effort required for adjustmentwhile also providing a sufficient frictional force to assist in littleor hands-free holding of the second conduit apparatus 40 with respect tothe first conduit apparatus 22 in use.

[0035] One exemplary sealing structure is illustrated in FIG. 4A. Asubstantially pliable sealing member 50 includes a lip 52 having a firstsurface 52 a facing toward the first conduit section 24 and a secondsurface 52 b facing away from the first conduit section 24. Manyalternative pliable materials may be used to fabricate the substantiallypliable sealing member 50. For example, the sealing member can comprisea low friction, pliable material. In exemplary embodiments, the pliablematerial can comprise a woven and/or nonwoven fibrous material (e.g., afelt material). The substantially pliable material may also comprise acomposite material to provide desirable sealing and functionalcharacteristics such as increased durability while maintaining itspliable characteristics. In exemplary embodiments, the compositematerial can comprise elements of pliable and nonpliable materials aslong as the overall composition exhibits a substantially pliablecharacteristic. For example, a nonpliable material may be distributed asa thin pliable mesh with fibrous material woven therein to define anoverall durable, yet substantially pliable, sealing member. In addition,mounting portions of the substantially pliable material may havenonpliable characteristics.

[0036] In further exemplary embodiments, the substantially pliablesealing member 50 can comprise a mounting portion 51 for engaging amounting location of the second conduit apparatus 40 and extendingacross the clearance area to the lip 52. As shown in FIG. 4A, theclearance area comprises an end area 80 between telescoping portions ofthe first conduit apparatus 22 and the second conduit apparatus 40. Asshown, the mounting portion 51 extends across the clearance area byextending over the end area 80, rather than through the clearance area.Although the mounting portion 51 is shown immediately adjacent the endarea 80, the mounting portion can also extend across the clearance areaby passing over and substantially adjacent the end area 80, rather thanthrough or immediately adjacent the clearance area. In still furtherembodiments, the mounting portion 51 can extend across the clearancearea by passing through the clearance area (e.g., between thetelescoping portions at a position adjacent to or offset from the endarea 80).

[0037] In exemplary embodiments, the lip 52 can extend at various angleswith respect to the mounting portion 51. For example, as shown in FIG.4A, the lip 52 can extend from the mounting portion 51 at a 90° angle.The right angle orientation of the mounting portion 51 with respect tothe lip 52 can be particularly useful in embodiments where the mountinglocation comprises a mounting flange 42 a extending away from the firstconduit section 24. As shown, the mounting flange 42 a can extend aboutthe periphery of an end of the conduit 42 for engagement with themounting portion 51 of the sealing member 50. The mounting portion 51can include a first surface 51 a generally facing a first direction forenagement with the mounting flange 42 a and a second surface 51 bgenerally facing in a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0038] The sealing structure can further include a support member 48 forcooperation with the sealing member 50. In exemplary embodiments, thesupport member 48 is adapted to engage the second surface 52 b of thelip 52 to facilitate engagement between the first surface 52 a of thelip 52 and the first conduit section 24. In additional and/oralternative exemplary embodiments, the support member 48 is adapted toengage a surface of the sealing member 50 extending across the clearancearea. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, a first surface 48 a of thesupport member 48 supports an area of the second surface 51 b of themounting portion 51 extending across the end area 80 of the clearancearea. In still further embodiments, the support member 48 may engage thesecond surface 52 b of the lip 52 while also engaging a surface of thesealing member 48 extending across the clearance area. For example, theangle between the lip 52 and the mounting portion 51 can define atransition area 53 such that the support member 48 extends into thetransition area 53 to engage the second surface 51 b of the mountingportion 51 and the second surface 52 b of the lip 52.

[0039] While the support member 48 may comprise a wide variety ofmaterials, exemplary support members include a substantially resilientmaterial such as a resilient polymer (e.g., an elastomer). The supportmember 48 illustrated in FIG. 4A can be in compression such that itpresses against the second surface 52 b of the lip 52 to facilitateengagement between the first surface 52 a of the lip and the firstconduit section 24. Such compression can accommodate for surfaceimperfections in the first conduit section 24 and/or for variations inclearance areas that might occur as the second conduit apparatus 40pivots relative to the first conduit apparatus 22.

[0040] As best illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 6 the support member 48 cancomprise a substantially planar support plate provided with an aperture49 wherein an interior surface 49 a of the aperture 49 is adapted tocontact the second surface 52 b of the lip 52. Although not shown, thesupport member 48 can be substantially non-planar. For example, theinterior surface 49 a of the aperture can be extended by providing anoutwardly extending flange to form a support member with a substantiallyL-shaped cross section. As best shown in FIG. 6, the interior aperture49 of the support member 48 can be substantially circular while theouter perimeter of the support member 48 can comprise a four-sidedpolygon. The outer perimeter of the support member 48 can thereforecorrespond with a shape of the mounting flange 42 a of the conduit 42while the interior aperture 49 can correspond with the cross sectionalshape of the first conduit section 24. Therefore, the support member 48can act as an adapter to accommodate differences in shapes between thefirst conduit apparatus 22 and the second conduit apparatus 40.

[0041] As shown, the second conduit apparatus 40 can also include ahandle 44 with a handle bracket 46. The handle 44 can facilitate pivotaladjustment of the second conduit apparatus 40 with respect to the firstconduit apparatus 22. For example, the handle 44 can provide desirableleverage to reduce the effort required for adjustment. The handle canalso be provided with a sufficient mass such that it at least partiallyfunctions as counterbalance to the weight of the conduit 42. In stillfurther embodiments, the handle can permit rotational adjustment of theadjustable discharge apparatus 20 with respect to the discharge tube 8of the bulk material discharge assembly. Although not necessary, thehandle bracket 46 can be mounted together with the support member 48 andthe sealing member 50 to simplify manufacturing and minimize costs byreducing the required hardware for mounting the handle and sealingstructure to the conduit 42. In exemplary embodiments, the sealingstructure and the handle 44 can be attached to the mounting location 42a (e.g., mounting flange) in a single mounting operation. For instance,the sealing member 50 can be first positioned such that the firstsurface 51 a of the mounting portion 51 engages the mounting flange 42a. Next, support member is positioned such that the first surface 48 aof the support member 48 engages the second surface 51 b of the mountingportion 51 with the lip 52 extending through the aperture 49 a of thesupport member 48. The handle bracket 46 can then be positioned toengage the second surface 48 b of the support member 48. The sealingstructure and handle 44 may then be mounted to the flange 42 a with oneor more bolt 54 and nut 56 arrangements. Each arrangement can includeone or more flat washers 58 a and/or lock washers 58 b may be providedto reduce bearing stress and maintain the fastening arrangement.

[0042] As shown in the drawings, the lip 52 extends away from theclearance area. In alternative embodiments, the lip can extend into theclearance area between telescoping portions of the first conduitapparatus 22 and the second conduit apparatus 40. For example, the firstsurface 48 a of the support member 48 may be first positioned to engagethe mounting location 42 a (e.g., mounting flange). Next, the lip 52 ofthe sealing member 50 can be inserted through the aperture 49 of thesupport member 48 such that the second surface 51 b of the mountingportion 51 engages the the second surface 48 b of the support member 48.In this embodiment, the lip would be hidden from view in use.

[0043] The pivot pin 74 allows for selective mounting of the secondconduit apparatus 40 to the first conduit apparatus 22. Depending on theparticular application, the second conduit apparatus 40 may be removedand the first conduit apparatus 22 may be used alone for bulk materialdischarge or a third conduit apparatus may be mounted to the firstconduit apparatus. One exemplary third conduit apparatus is illustratedin FIG. 7 and can comprise a flexible hose 92. an end of the flexiblehose may be inserted over an end of the first conduit section 24 andremovably mounted in place with a pipe clamp 94. The flexible hose 92can be of particular use where the bulk material discharge assemblycannot be located close enough to a particular distribution area to makeuse of the second conduit apparatus 40. In exemplary embodiments, theconsumer may be provided with an adjustable discharge apparatus kit thatincludes the first conduit apparatus 22, the second conduit apparatus 40and the third conduit apparatus 90 for a wide variety of bulk materialdistribution applications.

[0044] Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, further adaptations of the methods and apparatus describedherein can be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Several of such potential modifications have beenmentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered interms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to thedetails of structure and operation shown and described in thespecification and drawings.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable discharge apparatus comprising: a)a first conduit apparatus including a first conduit section extendingalong an arcuate path about a pivot axis, b) a second conduit apparatuspivotally mounted about the pivot axis in a telescoping relationshipwith the first conduit apparatus, the second conduit apparatus includinga scaling structure adapted to provide a seal between telescopingportions of the first conduit apparatus and the second conduitapparatus, the sealing structure including a substantially pliablesealing member including a lip having a first surface facing toward thefirst conduit section and a second surface facing away from the firstconduit section, the sealing structure further comprising a supportmember engaging the second surface of the lip to facilitate engagementbetween the first surface of the lip and the first conduit section. 2.The adjustable discharge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sealingmember further comprises a mounting portion and the lip extends at anangle with respect to the mounting portion.
 3. The adjustable dischargeapparatus of claim 2, wherein the angle is approximately 90°.
 4. Theadjustable discharge apparatus of claim 2, wherein the angle defines atransition area, and wherein the support member extends into thetransition area to engage a surface of the mounting portion and thesecond surface of the lip.
 5. The adjustable discharge apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the support member includes an interior aperture havingan interior surface engaging the second surface of the lip.
 6. Theadjustable discharge apparatus of claim 5, wherein the support membercomprises a substantially planar support plate including the interioraperture, the mounting portion of the sealing member includes a firstsurface generally facing in a first direction and a second surfacegenerally facing in a second direction opposite the first direction, anda first surface of the support plate engages the second surface of themounting portion.
 7. The adjustable discharge apparatus of claim 6,wherein the second conduit apparatus includes a mounting flangeextending away from the first conduit section and the first surface ofthe mounting portion engages the mounting flange.
 8. The adjustabledischarge apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a handle including ahandle bracket engaging a second surface of the support plate, thesecond surface of the support plate generally facing away from themounting portion of the sealing member.
 9. The adjustable dischargeapparatus of claim 6, wherein the interior aperture of the support plateis substantially circular and wherein the outer perimeter of the supportplate comprises a four-sided polygon.
 10. The adjustable dischargeapparatus of claim 2, further comprising a handle including a handlebracket, at least a portion of the support member is positioned betweenthe handle bracket and the mounting portion of the sealing member. 11.The adjustable discharge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supportmember engages the second surface of the lip with an interior surface ofan aperture.
 12. The adjustable discharge apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe support member includes a substantially resilient material.
 13. Theadjustable discharge apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least a portionof the support member is in compression.
 14. The adjustable dischargeapparatus of claim 1, wherein the sealing member includes a fibrousmaterial.
 15. The adjustable discharge apparatus of claim 1, wherein thearcuate path comprises a 90° elbow.
 16. The adjustable dischargeapparatus of claim 1, wherein the second conduit apparatus is removablypivotally mounted about the pivot axis.
 17. The adjustable dischargeapparatus of claim 16, further comprising a pivot bracket tube extendingalong the pivot axis and a pivot pin extending at least partially withinthe pivot bracket tube.
 18. The adjustable discharge apparatus of claim1, wherein the second conduit apparatus includes an upper stop and alower stop to limit pivotal movement of the second conduit apparatusrelative to the first conduit apparatus.
 19. An adjustable dischargeapparatus comprising: a) a first conduit apparatus including a firstconduit section extending along an arcuate path about a pivot axis, b) asecond conduit apparatus pivotally mounted about the pivot axis in atelescoping relationship with the first conduit apparatus with aclearance area defined between telescoping portions of the first conduitapparatus and the second conduit apparatus, the second conduit apparatusincluding a sealing structure adapted to seal the clearance area, thesealing structure including a substantially pliable sealing memberincluding a mounting portion and a lip, the mounting portion engaging amounting location of the second conduit apparatus and extending acrossthe clearance area to the lip, the lip having a first surface facingtoward the first conduit section and a second surface facing away fromthe first conduit section, the sealing structure further comprising asupport member adapted to engage a surface of the sealing memberextending across the clearance area.
 20. The adjustable dischargeapparatus of claim 19, wherein the support member also engages thesecond surface of the lip to facilitate engagement between the firstsurface of the lip and the first conduit section.
 21. An adjustabledischarge apparatus kit comprising: a) a first conduit apparatusincluding a first conduit section extending along an arcuate path abouta pivot axis, b) a second conduit apparatus for selective mounting tothe first conduit apparatus, wherein the second conduit apparatus isadapted to be removably and pivotally mounted about the pivot axis in atelescoping relationship with the first conduit apparatus, and c) athird conduit apparatus for selective mounting to the first conduitapparatus, the third conduit apparatus including a flexible conduitsection and wherein an end of the third conduit apparatus is adapted tobe removably mounted to an end of the first conduit apparatus.
 22. Theadjustable discharge apparatus kit of claim 21, further comprising apivot bracket tube extending along the pivot axis and a pivot pinadapted to facilitate removable mounting of the second conduit apparatuswith respect to the first conduit apparatus.
 23. The adjustabledischarge apparatus kit of claim 21, wherein the second conduitapparatus includes a sealing structure adapted to provide a seal betweentelescoping portions of the first conduit apparatus and the secondconduit apparatus, the sealing structure including a support member anda substantially pliable sealing member including a lip with a firstsurface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the lip isadapted to face toward the first conduit section and the second surfaceof the lip is adapted to face away from the first conduit section, andthe support member is adapted to engage the second surface of the lip tofacilitate engagement between the first surface of the lip and the firstconduit section.